Gilberto Mora calls Mexico World Cup favorite: El Tri project confidence before tournament
Mexico's teenage star Gilberto Mora says El Tri can be considered the favorite to win the World Cup since the tournament will take place on home soil.
One of Mexico's most exciting stars is putting big faith in the national team's chances at this summer's World Cup. Gilberto Mora, a 17-year-old who last year became the youngest player to win a continental championship when he helped El Tri lift the Gold Cup, says expectations should be high for the national team heading into the most important tournament of his life. "Yes, of course.
I think that we’re favorites to win this World Cup," he told reporters in Guadalajara after playing with Club Tijuana in a scoreless draw with Chivas. "We’re at home, so yes. I think we’re favorites.
" Mora's presence is a boost for Mexico. The Chiapas native missed much of the regular season with a sports hernia issue but said he is back to "100 percent" as the May 6 report date for Mexico manager Javier Aguirre's pre-World Cup training camp approaches. "The recovery was a bit long, but thankfully I’m good.
I feel very good," Mora said. "Physically good and ready for what’s coming. " Mora is expected to move to a top European team when he turns 18 in the fall, either signing a pre-contract after the World Cup this summer or playing one more campaign with Xolos before making a winter move.